Genius Martial Arts Trainer

Chapter 21:

“!?” Mu-gung’s face betrayed his surprise; he hadn’t considered that far.

“That’s why the essence of Xiao Hong Quan is so vague. Actually, all the martial arts we’ll learn in the future will probably be the same. Because there are bound to be minute differences between individuals.”

This was the conclusion Mu-jin had reached last night while training in Xiao Hong Quan.

He had wondered why the key points of martial arts were always couched in such nebulous terms.

The scriptures were sometimes used to explain abstract concepts more comfortably, but more fundamentally, the essence had to be abstract.

There could be no exact figures for how much internal energy to gather at the Jianyu acupoint, or after how much time to let it flow out.

The reason was simple: while the general framework was the same, the finer details varied from person to person.

Mu-jin could come to this conclusion because he was a highly competent fitness trainer and physiotherapist.

Beginner trainers often insist on the same posture for all their clients. But skilled trainers know to adjust the posture slightly according to the clients’ body condition and shape.

“So what, does that mean there’s no point in trying to understand the essence?” Mu-gung asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

Surprisingly, this time Mu-gyeong spoke up uncertainly, “That, that’s not it. Maybe it means that while the overall framework is the same, the finer details differ for everyone, right?”

“You got it exactly right,” Mu-jin smiled broadly and snapped his fingers in approval of Mu-gyeong’s understanding.

“That’s probably why the higher the level of martial arts you learn, the more difficult it becomes to handle internal energy. To analyze and understand the essence of internal energy, and to be able to move it accordingly requires the skill to apply it precisely to one’s own body shape and condition.”

Mu-jin’s speculation was only half right.

Higher-level martial arts were inherently complex in their essence, and adapting them to one’s own body type and constitution was nearly impossible for anyone less than a genius.

Therefore, as martial artists progress towards more difficult techniques, they naturally begin to learn those that suit their own body type and constitution.

In fact, those who are at least a Second-class Disciple in Shaolin have been practicing Shaolin martial arts for at least thirty-five years, yet most only master two or three of the seventy-two consummate arts.

“Then here’s the question. What if, on the contrary, you don’t really feel any discomfort?”

“…Does that mean we don’t need to worry too much about the essence?”

“Not exactly. You should still follow the essence, but you don’t need to be too concerned about the very fine details.”

Having finished his explanation, Mu-jin assumed the stance of the first sequence of Xiao Hong Quan in front of the trio.

Then, as he had done the previous night, he condensed a great deal of strength in his shoulders and arms along with the flow of his Qi.

When he detonated the condensed strength and Qi at the same time, a powerful explosive sound burst from the back of his hand.

“Just like this.”

“…..”

Mu-gung and Mu-gyeong gaped as they witnessed an explosive sound of a different caliber burst forth, despite Mu-jin wielding his hand in almost the same way as they did.

Just like the night before, his forearm throbbed without fail, but Mu-jin did not show any sign of it.

Instead, Mu-jin added further explanation with a satisfied expression in response to Mu-gyeong and Mu-gung’s reactions.

“When your body is fully developed, handling Qi becomes much easier. You won’t need to finely tune your Qi.”

It wasn’t that no one in the martial world had reached a similar conclusion as Mu-jin.

The problem was that in this era, there was no scientific research on physical training. There were only crude trainings based on experience.

Even though body conditioning doesn’t yield results overnight, trainings based on experience without proper knowledge often failed to produce the desired outcomes.

On the other hand, if one handled internal energy well, it was easy to produce the desired results, though only for a few ‘geniuses’ with exceptional skills in handling internal energy.

After such histories accumulated, ‘External Energy’ in the current martial world was considered nothing more than a means to assist internal energy.

But Mu-jin was different.

His mind was filled with information on countless exercises and stretching methods to build or improve the strength and flexibility of each muscle in the body.

This meant he could create a body that could perform the forms of each martial arts technique without discomfort.

‘I don’t know how far this will take me, but at least this is the only way I can survive.’

This was the best path that Choi Kang-hyuk, who had possessed Mu-jin’s body, could think of.

The original owner of the body, Mu-jin, might not have known, but Choi Kang-hyuk was not a genius in internal energy.

Instead, Choi Kang-hyuk, a master of bodybuilding, concluded his lecture with a very confident expression.

“Well, to put it simply, it means that the head has to work hard because the body is bad.”

“…Isn’t it the other way around? I thought it was that the body suffers because the mind is bad?”

Mu-gung countered his own words, and Mu-jin lightly clicked his tongue.

“Tsk, tsk. That’s just nonsense made up by those envious of a good body. You guys shouldn’t fall for such nonsense. Got it?”

“Heheh. So does that mean we don’t have to use internal energy anymore?”

Mu-yul, who had struggled with the essence of internal energy, asked with hopeful eyes, but Mu-jin shook his head.

“That’s not it. It means that when the body is in good shape, it’s easier to use internal energy. I didn’t say to rely solely on the body without internal energy.”

“Hng…” With a deflated slouch of his shoulders, Mu-yul reacted to Mu-jin’s sharp response.

Seeing Mu-yul, who usually shrugged off physical hardships, looking so dejected, Mu-gyeong couldn’t help but speak up with sympathy.

“Mu, Mu-yul, if you’re struggling with the essence, shall I, I help you? I might not be much help, but…”

Mu-gyeong’s voice trailed off timidly, worried that he might end up being more of a hindrance than a help.

However, Mu-yul responded with his usual cheerful ignorance, “Yes, senior brother Mu-gyeong! Please teach me!”

“You’re, really okay with me helping you…?”

“Hehe. Of course.”

“Eh, I only managed to interpret up to the tenth sequence of Xiao Hong Quan so far…”

While Mu-jin watched the two engaging in their mutually supportive conversation with a warm heart, something struck him.

“…Wait a minute.”

Mu-jin interrupted their conversation with a bewildered tone.

“Mu-gyeong, what did you just say? You understood up to the tenth sequence?”

“Th-that’s just the essence. I, I can’t perform it properly like you yet.”

Though Mu-gyeong spoke with a bashful dip of his head, Mu-jin barely heard him.

And for good reason.

‘I, I’ve only managed to interpret up to the third sequence?’

Just last night, Mu-jin had been so frustrated while trying to interpret that he had thrown the Diamond Sutra across the room.

And now this guy has understood up to the tenth sequence?

‘Ah. Right, he’s a blood successor.’

Mu-jin often forgot, seeing him looking deflated every day, but upon reflection, this guy was a genius too.

Despite wondering why Mu-gyeong was considered less adept in External Energy compared to himself, Mu-gung, and Mu-yul, it seemed that Mu-gyeong’s status as a blood successor was due to his exceptional understanding of martial arts essences.

Realizing this, Mu-jin eagerly grabbed both of Mu-gyeong’s hands.

“Teach me those interpretations.”

The translator for the essence of martial arts was right before his eyes.

* * *

Mu-jin and the children began their intensive training to properly execute Xiao Hong Quan.

Mu-jin focused on identifying and strengthening the weak parts of the children’s bodies to ensure they could fully realize the power of Xiao Hong Quan, and in the evenings, they all gathered to listen to Mu-gyeong’s interpretations of the sequences and practiced handling their Qi.

About two months passed.

Mu-jin managed to enhance his physique to the point where he could perform Xiao Hong Quan without any trouble.

The trio, who were being trained by Mu-jin, also began to perform all fourteen sequences of Xiao Hong Quan after the same period.

The only difference was, while Mu-jin could perform the fourteen sequences in succession with ease, the other three were still at a level where they used the sequences separately.

Mu-gung lacked the flexibility to connect each movement smoothly, Mu-gyeong lacked the muscle strength for seamless connections, and Mu-yul had a poor memory.

Concentrating as much as he could, Mu-yul could perform the movements one by one, but when trying to execute them in succession, he would get confused, and the flow of his Qi would become tangled.

Yet, even that was enough to astonish Master Uncle Hye-jeong, who was in charge of their training.

It wasn’t just because they could perform all fourteen sequences of Xiao Hong Quan.

Besides these four, there were about a dozen other children who could also use Xiao Hong Quan ‘to some extent.’

The biggest difference between these four and the rest was…

“Yo-you’ve already mastered up to the full ten stars in Xiao Hong Quan!?” Master Uncle Hye-jeong murmured in amazement.

It was their power and speed that caused the surprise.

Naturally, Master Uncle Hye-jeong couldn’t help but be astonished.

Xiao Hong Quan wasn’t a martial art that children who had just started learning could master up to ten stars within two months.

But the surprise was momentary.

“Hmm?”

Master Uncle Hye-jeong noticed something peculiar.

If one could perform each movement of Xiao Hong Quan according to the essence, it was considered five stars. And if all the movements could be performed in succession according to the essence, it was seven stars.

When one had fully internalized the essence and could cause powerful explosive sounds, it was ten stars. If one could generate force winds, then it was said to be twelve stars of grand mastery.

Currently, Mu-jin was performing all the movements in succession, creating explosive sounds fitting of ten stars.

‘Why are the other children’s movements disjointed?’

The power was comparable to that of ten stars, but for some reason, the other children’s sequences were disjointed.

[12:17 AM

With the achievements of five stars and ten stars mixed, it was natural for Master Uncle Hye-jeong to have questions in mind.

And Master Uncle Hye-jeong willingly approached them to resolve these queries.

“Ahem. Your accomplishments are indeed remarkable.”

Addressing Mu-gyeong, who was furthest to the left, Master Uncle Hye-jeong spoke up, and Mu-gyeong responded with a bashful bow of his head.

“Mu, Mu-jin helped us a lot. Master Uncle.”

“Oh?”

Feeling intrigued by Mu-gyeong’s answer, Master Uncle Hye-jeong let out an exclamation and asked further.

“What kind of help did Mu-jin provide? Did he interpret the essence for you?”

“Th-the essence, I interpreted it. Master Uncle.”

“…?”

With a puzzled expression, Master Uncle Hye-jeong looked at Mu-gyeong, and finally, Mu-jin stepped forward.

“My role was simple. Master Uncle. I helped to strengthen the children’s bodies.”

“Strengthen the bodies?”

As Master Uncle Hye-jeong wore a look of incomprehension, Mu-jin shared the information he had taught the trio two months earlier.

He explained the method of reducing the work internal energy had to do by strengthening the physical body.

“Is, is that really a possible method?” Master Uncle Hye-jeong asked with a look of disbelief.

Of course, as a Second-class Disciple of Shaolin, Master Uncle Hye-jeong was a master who would be recognized as a high-level practitioner anywhere.

Naturally, he understood the role internal energy plays in martial arts and how its flow subtly varies from person to person. He also knew that a more refined physique is always an advantage.

That’s why, when looking for disciples, he would check for bone structure, Yin-Yang constitution, and heavenly martial constitution, among other things.

What surprised him was how, in just two months, it was possible to identify and supplement each child’s individual physical deficiencies.

“Is, is this also part of the training methods from that family lineage you mentioned?”

“Yes, Master Uncle. Our family’s training methods are organized to build strength or flexibility for each specific muscle group.”

Hearing Mu-jin’s answer, Master Uncle Hye-jeong thought to himself that this matter was not something he could decide on alone.

* * *

In the main hall of the Arhat Faction.

“Hehehe.”

Hyun-seong let out a chuckle upon hearing everything that had just happened from Master Uncle Hye-jeong.

And Mu-jin, brought along by Master Uncle Hye-jeong, was currently observing the situation, not fully understanding what was going on.

For a moment, only Hyun Seong’s hollow laughter echoed through the quiet main hall of the Arhat Faction.

“Disciple Mu-jin, listen.”

“Yes, Ban-dangju.”

After gathering his thoughts, Hyun Seong spoke in a calm voice.

“Although there are still about ten days left until the promised date, it appears that the trial has been sufficient. Indeed, it seems that your family’s training methods are superior to Shaolin’s in terms of physical conditioning. Therefore, how would you feel about taking charge of the novice disciples’ morning training from now on?”

“Master!?”

The sudden grand offer from Hyun Seong caught Master Uncle Hye-jeong by surprise, but despite his disciple’s astonishment, Hyun Seong’s face remained composed.

‘Having said to ‘kill the Buddha and kill the ancestor,’ perhaps I too have been caught in stubbornness.’

Hyun Seong was contemplating whether, before being a martial artist, he had forgotten the most important aspect of being a monk who aims to become a Buddha.

Therefore, he was thinking of taking a great risk this time. At Shaolin, with the novice disciples and the…

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